We need to recognize we are the one body of Christ. We are members of one another. We belong to others. They belong to us. We are not unto ourselves. And we don’t want to be by ourselves. We all have different gifts and we need to recognize that. Not everyone should be doing what we’re doing. We shouldn’t be doing what everyone else is doing.

We need to be doing what the Lord has given us to do. We do it in the faith and grace given to exercise that gift. It’s the Lord’s work. We shouldn’t be using our gifts for ourselves and our own glory, to build up our own kingdom. We use our gifts for the body and we do it with joy and faithfulness.

We serve the Lord with a true love for others because it’s God’s love poured out through us.

We rejoice in the rejoicing of others and we also have compassion and weep with them.

We aren’t wise in our own eyes. We live in harmony with everyone. We take on humble tasks, never thinking we’re above someone or something.

We forgive quickly. We don’t take offense at wrongs done to us. We show mercy because we’ve been shown mercy. We respond with compassion because we know but for the grace of God we’d be the same way.

We overcome evil with good. We forgive. We serve. We help. We share. We live for others and not ourselves.

Taking offense at how we are treated is selfish thinking. Self needs to die. It is freeing to not take offense, to live full of forgiveness and love for others because you recognize how Christ loved and forgave you.